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Post by karen on Oct 2, 2006 19:56:58 GMT
Anyone here have moss balls in their tank?
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Post by jackpike on Oct 2, 2006 21:35:40 GMT
I have some japanese moss balls.
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Post by zoomo on Oct 3, 2006 19:43:09 GMT
What are moss balls used for??
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Post by jackpike on Oct 3, 2006 21:00:16 GMT
These are not plants, they are actually balls of algae. requires phosphates and nitrates to grow, thus starving other nuisance algae and reducing its growth. Because of over farming, they have become a protected in japan.
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Post by janette on Oct 3, 2006 22:33:29 GMT
Did you know you can get russian moss balls as well :r:
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Post by jackpike on Oct 3, 2006 23:00:40 GMT
Yes i've heard of them, Is there any difference between them?
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Post by janette on Oct 4, 2006 19:38:18 GMT
no i dont think so!! heres a bit of info about them Russian Moss Balls, Chladophora aegagropila, are found in the UK, Iceland, Sweden and Japan.This is a velvet like algae and can grow up at 30 cm in diameter. Once thought to be extremely slow growing (perhaps taking up to 200 years to reach the size of a tennis ball), recent studies indicate that growth can be accelerated by providing more nutrients.
In Japan, these algae balls are called “Marimo” and most commonly found in Lake Akan. They have been declared a “Special Japanese Natural Treasure”. :l: well they would be!!
In captivity it requires very strong light and will do best in water with a high carbonate hardness (>7dKH).
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Post by jackpike on Oct 4, 2006 22:03:04 GMT
I have strong light covered, but high carbonate hardness may be a problem i have very soft water here. I suppose i could start putting in baking soda in to bring up my water's kh.
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dave
Full Timer
Posts: 177
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Post by dave on Feb 19, 2007 19:17:21 GMT
i got 2 nice moss balls yesterday at aquatic village. at the risk of sounding REALLY daft,will plecs destroy them,will they just graze occaisionally on them,or what?
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Post by jackpike on Feb 19, 2007 21:27:02 GMT
I have seen my common plec nozzle them, but it doesn't cause any damage. But don't put them in with goldfish they will pick them apart and destroy them
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dave
Full Timer
Posts: 177
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Post by dave on Feb 19, 2007 21:58:25 GMT
thanks jackpike,i'd read about the goldfish slaughtering them,but wanted to know if anybody had any experience with plecs and the like.
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mark
New Member
Posts: 19
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Post by mark on Feb 20, 2007 8:50:53 GMT
very interesting indeed I've never heard of them before.
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